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FRONTISPIECE.
Christiana and her children.
I
THE
CHILD'S
PILGRIM'S PROGRESS.
PART SECOND.
CHRISTIANA AND HER CHILDREN.
PHILADELPHIA:
PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION.
No. 821 Chestnut Street.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the
year I860, by
JAMES DUNLAP, Treas.,
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the
Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
S. D. Wybth, Stereotyper.
PREFACE.
This little book, Christiana and
her Children, has been prepared
as a companion volnme to ' ' The
Child's Pilgrim's Progress, Part
First."
A mother leading her children
through a sinful world up towards
Mount Zion presents a picture of
touching interest. Our great lim-
ner here shows it to us in hallow-
ed light reflected from the word
of God.
Christiana's companion Mercy,
aiding and comforting her — and,
y l PREFACE.
"unspotted from the world,"
walking by her side along the
Way of Salvation, is most beauti-
ful in conception. As we gaze
upon her thus, — in robes of white,
treading the world beneath her
feet, her face turned heavenward,
— an angel visitant seems, un-
wares, to steal upon our sight, and
fix a dwelling place within our
hearts.
s. d. w.
CHRISTIANA
AND HER CHILDREN.
COURTEOUS COMPANIONS,
To tell my dream some time
since, of Christian the Pilgrim,
and of his dangerous journey to-
wards the Celestial country, was
pleasant to me, and I trust profit-
able to you. I told you then also
concerning his wife and children,
and how unwilling they were to
go with him on pilgrimage ; so
that he was forced to go without
them.
Now it hath so happened, that
I have been much hindered and
(7)
8 CHRISTIANA AND
kept back from my wonted travels,
and could not, till now, make fur-
ther inquiry after those he left
behind. But, having had some
concerns that way of late, I went
down again thitherwards, and
taking up my lodging in a wood
about a mile off the place, as
as I slept, I dreamed again.
And in my dream, behold, an
aged gentleman came by where I
lay ; and methought I got up
and went with him. So, as we
walked, our talk happened to be
about Christian and his travels.
Sir, said I, what town is that
there below, that lieth on the
left hand of our way ?
Then said Mr. Sagacity, for that
was his name, It is the city of
HER CHILDREN. 9
Destruction, a populous place,
but possessed with a very ill-cou-
ditioned and idle sort of people.
I thought that was that city,
quoth I : I went once through
that town ; and know something
about it. Pray, sir, did you ever
hear what happened to a man
some time ago of this town, whose
name was Christian, that went on
a pilgrimage up towards the higher
regions ?
Sag. Hear of him ! Aye, and I
also heard of all he met with on
his journey. Besides, I must tell
you, our country rings of him ;
there are but few but have got the
records of his pilgrimage. For
though when here he was fool in
every man's mouth, yet now he
10 CHRISTIANA AND
is gone, he is highly commended.
'Tis said he lives bravely where he
is : yea, many of them that are
resolved never to run his hazards,
have their months water at his
gains.
They may, quoth I, well think,
that he liveth well where he is ;
for he now lives at, and in the
Fountain of life. But, pray what
talk have the people about him ?
Sag. Talk! the people talk
strangely about him: some say
he now walks in white ; that he
has a chain of gold about his neck ;
that he has a crown of gold, set
with pearls, upon his head: others
say, that the shining ones, who
sometimes showed themselves to
him in his journey, are become
HER CHILDREN. 11
his companions. Besides, that
the King of the place where he is
has bestowed upon him a very
rich and pleasant dwelling, and
that He every day eateth and
drinketh and walketh and talketh.
with him.
I am glad on't ; qnoth I : I am
glad for the poor man's sake, for
that now he has rest from his labor.
I also am glad that these things
are noised abroad, for it may work
a good effect on some left behind.
But pray, sir, while it is fresh in
my mind, do you hear any thing
of his wife and children ?
Sag. Who ? Christiana and her
sens ? They are like to do as well
as Christian did himself; for
though at first they would not be
12 CHRISTIANA AND
persuaded by tears or entreaties of
Christian, yet on second thoughts
they have packed up, and are gone
after him.
Better and better, quoth I : but
what, wife and children, and all ?
Sag. It is true : I was upon the
spot at the time and know the
the whole affair. And as we are
going some considerable way to-
gether, I will give an account of
the matter.
This Christiana — for that was
her name from the day that she
with her children betook them-
selves to a pilgrim's life — after her
husband was gone over the river,
and she could hear of him no
more, began to be in distress.
First she had lost her husband :
HER CHILDREN.
13
this, therefore, did cost her many
a tear. But this was not all ; for
upon this came into her mind, by-
swarms, all her unkind, and un-
godly treatment of her dear friend.
She was, moreover, much broken
with recalling to remembrance
his tears, and self-bemoanings,
and how she did harden her heart
against his entreaties to go with
him ; yea, there was not any thing
that Christian either said, or did,
while that heavy burden did
hang on his back, but it returned
like a flash of lightning, and rent
her heart in sunder ; especially
that bitter outcry of his, " What
shall I do to be saved ?" did ring
in her ears most dolefully.
Then said she to her children,
14 CHRISTIANA AXD
11 Sons, we are all undone. I
have sinned away your father,
and he is gone : he would have
had us with him, but I would not
go myself: I also have hindered
you of life."
With that the boys fell into
tears, and cried out to go after
their father. "Oh," said Chris-
tiana, ' ' that it had been but our
lot to go with him ; then had it
fared well with us beyond what it
is like to do now."
Then they all wept again, and
cried out, in sorrow of heart.
The next night Christiana had a
dream ; and behold, she saw as
if a broad parchment was opened
in which were recorded the sins
of her life ; and her guilt as
HER CHILDREN. 15
she thought, looked very black
upon her. Then she cried out
aloud in her sleep, "Lord, have
mercy upon me a sinner!" and
the little children heard her.
After this she thought she saw
two very ill-looking ones standing
by her bedside, and saving,
• • What shall we do to this wo-
man, for she cries out for mercy,
waking and sleeping ? if she be suf-
fered to go on as she begins, we
shall lose her as we have lost her
husband. Wherefore we must, by
one way or other, seek to take her
off from the thoughts of what
shall be hereafter, else all the
world cannot help but she will be-
come a pilgrim."
Now she awoke trembling, but
16 CHRISTIANA AND
after a while she fell asleep again.
And then she thought she saw
Christian, her husband, in a place
of bliss with a harp in his hand,
standing before One that sat on a
throne with a rainbow about his
head. She saw also, as if he
bowed his head with his face to
the paved work that was under
his Prince's feet, saying, "I
heartily thank my Lord and King
for bringing me into this place."
Then shouted a company of
them that stood round about, and
harped with their harps ; but no
man living could tell what they
said but Christian and his com-
panions.
Next morning, when she was
up, had prayed to God, and talked
HER CHILDREN. 17
with her children a while, one
knocked hard at the door ; to
whom she spoke out, saying,
" If thou comes t in God's name,
come in.
So he said, ' ' Amen ; ' ■ and
opened the door, and saluted her
with, " Peace be to this house."
Which when he had done,
he said, " Christiana, knowest
thou wherefore I am come ?"
Then she blushed and trembled ;
also her heart began to wax warm
with desires to know from whence
he came, and what was his errand
to her.
So he said unto her, ' ' My name
is Secret ; I dwell with those that
are on high. It is talked of where
I dwell as if thou hadst a desire
18 CHRISTIANA AND
to go thither : also there is a re-
port that thou art aware of the
evil thou hast formerly done to thy
husband, in hardening of thy
heart against his way, and in
keeping of these babes in their
ignorance. Christiana, the Merci-
ful One hath sent me to tell thee,
that he is a God ready to forgive,
and that he taketh delight to
multiply the pardon of offences.
He also would have thee to know,
that he inviteth thee to come into
his presence, to his table, and that
he will feed thee with the fat of
his house, and with the heritage
of Jacob thy father.
" There is Christian, thy hus-
band that was, with legions more,
his companions, ever beholding
CHILDREN. 19
The Letter.
HER CHILDREN. 21
that face that doth minister life
to beholders, and they will all be
glad when they shall hear the
sound of thy feet step over thy
Father's threshold."
Christiana at this was greatly
abashed in herself, and bowed
her head to the ground.
This visitor proceeded, and said,
" Christiana, here is also a letter
for thee, which I have brought
from thy husband's King."
So she took it, and opened it,
but it smelt after the manner of
the best perfume. Also it was
written in letters of gold. The
contents of the letter were these,
That the King would have her to
do as did Christian her husband ;
for that was the way to come to
22 CHRISTIANA AND
his city, and to dwell in his pre-
sence with joy for ever.
At this the good woman was
quite overcome ; so she cried out
to her visitor,
i i Sir, will you carry me and my
children with you, that we also
may go and worship the King ?"
Then said the visitor,
1 1 Christiana, the bitter is before
the sweet. Thou must pass
through troubles, as did he that
went before thee, to enter this
Celestial city. Wherefore I advise
thee to do as did Christian thy hus-
band. Go to the Wicket-gate yon-
der, over the plain, for that stands
at the head of the way, up which
thou must go ; and I wish thee all
good speed. Also I advise that thou
IIER CHILDREN. 23
put this letter in thy bosom, that
thou read therein to thyself and to
thy children until you have got it
by heart : for it is one of the songs
which thou must sing while thou
art in this house of thy pilgrim-
age. Also this thou must deliver
in at the further gate."
Now I saw in my dream, that
this old gentleman, as he told me
the story, did himself seem to be
greatly affected therewith. He
moreover proceeded and said,
So Christiana called her sons
together and told them all that
was upon her mind, and of the
desire that was in her heart.
1 ■ Come, my children, ' ' said she,
"let us pack up, and be gone to
the gate that leads to the Celestial
24 CHRISTIANA AND
Country, that we may join your
father, and his companions in that
blessed land "
Then did her children burst out
into tears, for joy that the heart
of their mother was so inclined.
So their visitor bid them farewell ;
and they began to prepare to set
out upon their journey.
But while they were thus en-
gaged, two women that were
Christiana's neighbors knocked
at her door. To whom she said,
"If you come in God's name,
come in.*'
At this the women were stunned,
for this kind of language used
not to drop from the lips of Chris-
tiana. Yet they came in : and
found her preparing to be gone.
HER CHILDREN. 25
So they began, and said.
" Neighbor, pray what is your
meaning by this?"
Christiana answered, and said
to the eldest, whose name was
Mrs. Timorous,
1 ' I am preparing for a journey. ' '
This Timorous was daughter to
him that met Christian upon the
hill of Difficulty, and would have
him go back, for fear of the lions.
Tim. " For what journey, I pray
you?
Chr. " Even to go after my good
husband." And with that she fell
a weeping.
Then Mrs. Timorous began to
persuade Christiana against her
journey, and told her of all sorts
of danger that would befall her
26 CHRISTIANA AND
and her children if she went. But
it was to no purpose.
Then Timorous reviled her, and
said to her fellow,
" Come, neighbor Mercy, let us
leave her, since she scorns our
counsel and company."
But Mercy was at a stand, and
that for a twofold reason : —
1. Her yearnings over Chris-
tiana. So she said within herself,
If my neighbor needs be gone, I
will go a little way with her.
2. Her yearnings over her own
soul ; for what Christiana had
said had taken some hold upon
her mind. Wherefore she said
within herself again, I will yet
have more talk with Christiana ;
and if I find truth and life in what
HER CHILDREN. 27
she shall say, I shall also go with
her.
Wherefore Mercy began thus to
reply to her neighbor Timorous :
11 Neighbor, I did indeed come
with you to see Christiana this
morning ; and, since she is taking
her last farewell of the country,
I think to walk this sunshiny
morning a little with her to help
her on her way, ' '
But she told her not of her
second reason, but kept it to her-
self.
So Mrs. Timorous returned angry
to her house, and Christiana be-
took herself to her journey.
But when Timorous was got
home, she sends for some of her
neighbors, to wit, Mrs. Bat's-Eyes
28 CHRISTIANA AND
Mrs. Inconsiderate, Mrs. Light-
mind, and Mrs. Know-Nothing.
So when they were come to her
house, she falls to telling of the
story of Christiana, and of her
intended journey.
These woman then said many
unkind and unlovely things about
Christiana and her resolve : — but
such is the habit of the dwellers
in the town of Destruction, when
any of their number leave them
and start on pilgrimage.
By this time Christiana and her
children were gotten on their way,
and Mercy went along : so as they
went Christiana said, i { Mercy, I
take this as an unexpected favor,
that thou shouldest accompany
me a little in the way."
HER CHILDREN. 29
Then said young Mercy, for she
was but young, u If I thought it
would be to purpose to go with
you, I would never go near the
town any more."
' ; Well, Mercy," said Christiana,
"cast in thy lot with me. The
King, who hath sent for me and
my children, is one that delighteth
in mercy. If thou wilt, I will
hire thee, yet we will have all
tilings in common ; only go along
with me.
Mer. " But how shall I be cer-
tain I shall be entertained ? Had
I this hope from one that can tell,
I would go, being helped by Him
that can help, though the way
was never so tedious."
Chr. "I will tell thee what
30 CHRISTIANA AND
thou shalt do : go with me to the
Wicket-gate, and if there thou
shalt not meet with encourage-
ment, I will be content that thou
again return.
Mer. ' ' Then will I go thither,
and will take what shall follow.
The Lord grant that the King of
heaven shall have his heart upon
me."
Then was Christiana glad, not
only that she had a companion,
but that she had prevailed with
this poor maid to fall in love with
her own salvation. So they went
on together, and Mercy began to
weep.
Then said Christiana,
" Wherefore weepeth my sister
so?"
HER CHILDREN. 31
1 ' Alas," said she, "who can
but lament, that thinks of the sad
condition my relations are in, that
remain in our sinful town ? They
have no instructor, nor any to tell
them what is to come."
Chr. " Pity becomes pilgrims;
and thou dost weep for thy friends
as good Christian did for me. I
hope, Mercy, that these tears of
thine will not be lost. ' '
Then said Mercy,
" Let the most blessed be my guide,
If it be his blessed will,
Unto his gate, into his fold,
Up to his holy hill.
And let him never suffer mo
To swerve, or turn aside
From his free grace and holy ways.
Whato'er shall me betide.
6Z CHRISTIANA AND
And let him gather them of mine
That I have left behind ;
Lord, make them pray they may be thine
With all their heart and mind."
ft
Now my old friend proceeded,
and said, When Christiana and
her sons came to the Slough of
Despond, they made a stand. But
Mercy said,
1 ' Come let us venture ; only
let us be wary."
Then they looked well to their
steps, and made a shift to get
staggering over. Yet Christiana
had like to have been in, and that
not once or twice.
Now they had no sooner got
over, but they thought they heard
words that said unto them,
1 i Blessed is she that believeth;
HER CHILDREN. 33
for there shall be a performance
of those things which were told
her from the Lord."
Then they went on again ; and
Mercy said to Christiana,
" Had I as good ground to hope
for a loving reception at the wick-
et-gate as you, I think no Slough
of Despond would discourage
me."
" Well," said the other, "you
know your trouble, and I know
mine, and, good friend, we shall all
have enough evil before we come to
our journey's end."
And now Mr. Sagacity left me to
dream out my dream by myself.
Wherefore, me thought I saw
Christiana and Mercy, and the
boys, go all of them up to the
3
34 CHRISTIANA AND
gate. And Christiana, being the
eldest, began to knock, and
knock, and knocked again. But
instead of any that answered, a
great dog came barking upon
them ; and this made the women
and children afraid; nor durst
they for a while to knock any
more, for fear the mastiff should
fly upon them.
Now, therefore, they were
greatly troubled, and knew not
what to do. At last they re-
solved to knock again, and
knocked more vehemently than
at first.
Then said the keeper of the gate,
" Who is there?"
So the dog left off to bark, and
he opened unto them.
HER CHILDREN. 35
Then Christiana made low
obeisance, and said,
"Let not our Lord be offended
with his hand-maidens, for that
we have knocked at his princely
gate."
Then said the keeper,
• ■ Whence come ye ? And what
is it that you would have?"
Christiana answered,
" We are come from whence
Christian did come, and upon the
same errand. And I, my Lord, am
Christiana, once the wife of Chris-
tian, that now is gotten above."
With that the keeper of the gate
did marvel, saying,
• ' What, is she now become a
pilgrim, that but a while ago ab-
horred that life ?"
O'j CHRISTIANA AND
Then she bowed her head, and
said.
"Yea; and so are these my
sweet babes also,"
Then he took her by the hand
and led her in. and said also.
• ; Surfer the little children to come
unto me;" and with that he
shut to the gate.
This done, he called to a trum-
fchat was above, over the gate
to entertain Christiana with shou-
ting, and the sound of trumpet.
for joy. So he obeyed, and soun-
ded, and rilled the air with his
melodious notes.
>'ow all this while poor Mercy
did stand without, trembling. But
when Christiana had got admit-
tance for herself and her bovs, then
HER CHILDREN. 37
she began to make intercession for
Mercy.
And she said, "My Lord, I have
a companion that stands without.
She is much dejected for she comes
as she thinks, without sending for,
whereas I was sent for by my hus-
band' s King to come."
Now Mercy began to be very
impatient, and she knocked at the
gate so loud that she made Chris-
tiana start.
Then said the keeper of the
gate,
"Who is there?"
And Christiana said,
"It is my friend."
So he opened the gate and look-
ed out, but Mercy was fallen
down without in a swoon.
38 CHRISTIANA AND
Then he took her by the hand,
and said,
1 ' Damsel, I bid thee arise. Fear
not, but stand upon thy feet, and
tell me wherefore thou art come.' '
Mer. " I am come for that unto
which I was never invited, as my
friend Christiana was . Wherefore I
fear I presume with her. If there
is grace and forgiveness of sins to
spare, I beseech thy poor hand-
maid may be a partaker thereof."
Then he took her again by the
hand, and led her gently in, and
said, " I pray for all them that
believe on me, by what means so-
ever they come unto me."
Then said he to those that stood
V,
"Fetch something and give it
HER CHILDREN. 39
to Mercy to smell, thereby to stay
her faintings;" so they fetched
her a bundle of myrrh, and a
while after she was revived.
And now were Christiana and
her boys, and Mercy, received of
the Lord at the head of the way,
and spoken kindly unto by him.
Ho also took them up to the top
of the gate, and showed them by
what deed they were saved ; and
told them that that sight they
would have again as they went
along in the way, to their comfort.
So he left them a while in a
summer parlor below, where they
entered into some talk by them-
selves ; and thus Christiana began,
1 ' how glad am I that we are
got in hither I"
40 CHRISTIANA AND
Mer. u So you well may ; but I
of all, have cause to leap for
joy."
They theu told each other of
the fears they had of being turned
away from the gate before it was
opened to them ; and also how
alarmed they were at the barking
of the dog. Then Mercy said she
would ask the good Keeper the
next time he came down why he
kept such a cur in his yard.
"Do so, " said the children,
1 ' and persuade him to hang him ;
for we are afraid he will bite us
when we go hence."
So at last he came down to them
again, and Mercy fell to the ground
on her face before him, and wor-
shipped.
HER CHILDREN. 41
So he said unto her, "Peace be
to thee ; stand up."
But she continued upon her
face, and said, "* Righteous art
thou, Lord, when I plead with
thee ; yet let me talk with thee
of thy judgments.' Wherefore
dost thou keep so cruel a dog in
thy yard, at the sight of which,
women and children are ready to
fly from thy gate for fear ? ' '
He answered and said, ' ' That
dog has another owner ; and is
kept in another man' s ground. My
pilgrims hear only his barking ;
he belongs to the castle there at a
distance, and has frightened many
a pilgrim. Indeed, he that owneth
him doth keep him to prevent pil-
grims from coming to me. Some-
42 CHRISTIANA AND
times lie has broken out, and
worried some that I loved ; but I
also give my pilgrims timely help,
so that they are not delivered to
his power. But, my purchased
one, the beggars that go from
door to door, will rather than lose
a supposed alms, run the hazard
of a dog ; and shall a dog keep
any from coming to me ? I deliver
them from the lions, and my dar-
ling from the power of the dog."
Then said Mercy,
"I confess my ignorance; I
spoke what I understood not ; I
acknowledge that thou doest all
things well."
Then Christiana began to talk of
their journey, and to inquire after
the way. So he fed them, and
HER CHILDREN. 43
washed their feet, and set them
in the way, according as he had
dealt with her husband before.
So I saw in my dream, that
they walked on their way, and
had the weather very comfortable
to them.
Now there was on the other side
of the wall that fenced in the way,
a garden, that belonged to him
who owned the dog. And some of
the fruit-trees shot their branches
over the wall. Christiana's boys,
as boys are apt to do, being pleased
with the fruit thereon, did pluck
of them, and began to eat. Their
mother did also chide them for so
doing, but still the boys went on.
" Well, " said she, " my sons,
you transgress, for that fruit is
44 CHEISTIANA AND
none of ours;" but she did not
know that it belonged to the en-
emy. I'll warrant you, if she had,
she would have been ready to die
for fear. But that passed, and
they went on their way.
Now, by that they were gone
about two bow-shots from the
place that led them into the way,
they espied two very ill-favored
ones coming down apace to meet
them. With that, Christiana and
Mercy covered themselves with
their veils, and so kept on their
journey : the children also went
on before ; so that at last they met
together.
Then these two ill-favored ones
made as though they would
embrace Christiana and Mercy.
HER CHILDREN.
45
Th oy. filled with fear, shrieked
out. Murder ! Murder ! The chil-
dren also stood by crying.
Now they being not far from
the gate their cry was heard :
wherefore some of the house came
out, and knowing that it was
Christiana's voice, made haste to
their relief. Then did the ruf-
fians make their escape over the
wall into the garden ; so the dog
became their protector. This Re-
liever then came up to the wo-
men, and asked them how they did.
So, after a few more words, he
paid as followeth :
"I marvelled much, when you
were entertained at the gate, that
you petitioned not the Lord for a
conductor. ' '
46 CHRISTIANA AND
11 Alas," said Christiana, " we
were so taken with our present
blessing, that dangers to come
were forgotten by ns. Shall we
go back again to my Lord, and
confess our folly, and ask one ?"
" To go back again, you need not,
for in every one of my Lord' s lodg-
ings, there is sufficient to furnish
pilgrims against all attempts
whatsoever. But, as I said, ' He
will be inquired of by them, to do
it for them.'"
When he had thus said, he
went back to his place, and the
pilgrims went on their way.
Then said Mercy,
" What a sudden blank is here !
I thought we had been past all
danger."
HER CHILDREN. 47
"Thy innocency, my sister,' '
said Christiana to Mercy, "may
excuse thee ; but my fault is so
much the greater, for that I saw
this danger before I came. I am
much to be blamed. ' '
Then she told Mercy of her
dream of the two ill-favored ones
and said it should have taught
her to take heed, and have pro-
vided when provision might have
been had.
Thus as they talked away a little
more time, they drew near to the
house of the Interpreter ; and
when they came to the door, they
heard, as they thought, Christiana
mentioned by name ; therefore
they stood still for a while. At
last Christiana knocked. Then
48 CHRISTIANA AND
there came to the door a young
damsel, who asked,
" With whom would you speak
in this place?"
Christiana answered,
* ' We understand this is a privi-
leged place for pilgrims, and we are
such : wherefore we pray that we
may be partakers of that for which
we are come ; the day, as thou
seest, is very far sjient, and we
are loath to-night to go any fur-
ther."
Dam. " Pray, what may I call
your name, that I may tell it to
my Lord within ?"
" My name is Christiana ; I was
the wife of that pilgrim that some
years ago did travel this way, and
these be his four children. This
HER CHILDREN. 49
maiden also is my companion, and
is going on pilgrimage too."
Then Innocent, for that was her
name, ran in, and said to those
within,
" Can you think who is at the
door ? There is Christiana and
her children, and her companion,
all waiting for entertainment
here."
Then they leaped for joy, and
went and told their master.
So he came to the door, and
looking upon her, he said,
1 'Art thou Christiana? whom
Christian the good man left behind
him when he betook himself to a
pilgrim's life ?"
Chr. "lam that woman that
was so hard-hearted and these are
4
50 CHRISTIANA AND
his four children ; but now I also
am come,"
Inter, ' ' But why standest thou
thus at the door ? Come in, thou
daughter of Abraham. Come,
children, come in ; come, maiden,
come in."
So he took them all into the
house.
Then were they bidden to sit
down and rest. They of the house
all smiled for joy that Christiana
was become a pilgrim. They
looked well pleased upon the boys,
and took them kindly by the hand
and also behaved lovingly to
Mercy.
After a while, because supper
was not ready, the Interpreter
took them into his Significant
HER CHILDREN.
51
The man with a muck-rake.
HER CHILDREN. 53
Rooms, and showed them what
Christian, Christiana's husband
had seen some time before.
This done, and after those
things had been somewhat digest-
ed, the Interpreter takes them
again into a room where was a man
that could look no way but down-
wards, with a muck-rake in his
hand. There stood also one over
his head with a celestial crown in
his hand, and proffered him that
crown for his muck-rake ; but the
man did neither look up nor re-
gard, but raked to himself the
straws, the small sticks, and dust
of the floor.
Then said Christiana, ' ' I per-
suade myself that I know some-
what the meaning of this ; for
54 CHRISTIANA AND
this is the figure of a man of this
world : is it not, good sir ?"
"Thou hast said right," said
he ; "and his muck-rake doth
show his carnal mind. Straws
and sticks and dust, with most, are
the great things looked after."
With that Christiana and Mercy
wept, and said,
" It is, alas, too true."
The Interpreter then showed
them into the very best room in
the house and bade them look
round and see if they could find
any thing profitable there.
Then they looked round and
round ; for there was nothing to
be seen but a very great spider on
the wall, and that they over-
looked.
HER CHILDREN. 55
Then said Mercy,
" Sir, I see nothing;" bnt
Christiana held her peace.
"But," said the Interpreter,
"look again."
She therefore looked again, and
said,
* ' Here is not any thing but an
ugly spider, who hangs by the
hands upon the wall."
Then again said he,
' * Is there but one spider in all
this spacious room?"
Then the water stood in Chris-
tiana's eyes, for she was quick of
apprehension ; and she said,
1 ' Yea Lord, there are more here
than one ; yea, and spiders whose
venom is far more destructive
than that which is in her. ' '
56 CHRISTIANA AND
The Interpreter then looked
pleasantly on her, and said,
"Thou hast said the truth."
This made Mercy to blush, and
the boys to cover their faces ; for
they all began now to understand
the riddle.
Then said the Interpreter again,
' ' ; The spider taketh hold with
her hands, ' as you see, ' and is in
kings' palaces.' And wherefore
is this recorded, but to show you
that how full of the venom of sin
soever you be, yet you may, by
the hand of faith, lay hold of and
dwell in the best room that belongs
to the King's house above ?"
He took them then into another
room where were a hen and chick-
ens, and bid them observe a while.
HER CHILDREN. 57
So one of the chickens went to the
trough to drink, and every time
she drank she lifted up her head
and her eyes towards heaven.
"See," said he, "what this
little chick doth, and learn of her
to acknowledge whence your mer-
cies come by receiving them with
looking up."
Then said Christiana, ' ' Pray,
sir, let us see some more."
So he led them into the slaugh-
ter-house, where was a butcher
killing a sheep ; and behold, the
sheep was quiet, and took her
death patiently.
Then said the Interpreter,
' ■ You must learn of this sheep
to suffer, and to put up with
wrongs without murmurings and
58 CHRISTIANA AND
complaints. Behold how quietly
she takes her death, and without
objecting, she suffereth her skin
to be pulled over her ears. Your
Kiug doth call you his sheep."
After this he led them into his
garden, where was a great variety
of flowers ; and he said,
" Do you see all these ?"
So Christiana said, " Yes."
Then said he again,
' ' Behold, the flowers are diverse
in stature, in quality, and color,
and smell, and virtue ; and some
are better than others ; also,
where the gardener hath set them
there they stand, and quarrel not
one with another."
Again, he led them into his
field which he had sown with
HER CHILDREN. 59
wheat and corn : but when they
beheld, the tops of all were cut off,
and only the straw remained.
He said again,
"This ground was dunged and
ploughed and sown, but what
shall we do with the crop ?"
Then said Christiana,
" Burn some, and make muck
of the rest. ' '
Then said the Interpreter again,
1 ' Fruit, you see, is that thing
you look for ; beware that in this
you condemn not yourselves."
Then, as they were coming in
from abroad, they espied a little
robin with a great spider in his
mouth.
So the Interpreter said, u Look
here."
60 CHRISTIANA AND
So they looked, and Mercy won-
dered, but Christiana said,
i ' What a disparagement is it to
such a pretty little bird as the
robin-redbreast ; I thought they
lived upon crumbs of bread, or
upon other such harmless mat-
ter : I like him worse than I did."
The Interpreter replied,
' ' This robin is an emblem, very-
like some professors ; to sight
they are, as he is, pretty of
note, color, and carriage. But
like him they catch and gobble
up spiders, change their diet,
drink iniquity, and swallow down
sin like water."
So, when they were come into
the house, as supper was not yet
ready, Christiana again desired
HER CHILDREN. 61
that the Interpreter would show
or tell them some other things, to
which he assented, and discours-
ed, profitably to them for some
time.
When he had done, he took
them out into his garden again,
to a tree whose inside was all rot-
ten and gone, and yet it grew and
had leaves.
Then said Mercy,
'•What means this?"
"This tree," said he, " is like
many that are in the garden of
God ; whose leaves are fair, but
their heart good for nothing."
Now supper was ready : so they
sat down, and did eat, when one
had given thanks. And as the
Interpreter did usually entertain
62 CHRISTIANA AND
with music at meals, the min-
strels played. There was also
one that did sing, and a very fine
voice he had.
When the song and music were
ended, the Interpreter asked
Christiana what it was that at
first did move her to a pilgrim's
life.
Christiana then told him all
the Lord had done for her, and the
trials she had met with, up
to the present time. When she
had finished he said kindly,
"Thy beginning is good; thy
latter end shall greatly increase."
So he addressed himself to
Mercy, and said unto her,
"And what moved thee to come
hither, sweet heart?"
HER CHILDREN. 63
Then Mercy blushed and trem-
bled, and for a while continued
silent.
Then said he, " Be not afraid ;
only believe, and speak thy mind. ' '
So she began and said,
1 ' Truly, sir, my want of expe-
rience makes me silent, and also
fills me with fears of coming short
at last. I cannot tell of visions
and dreams, as my friend Chris-
tiana can ; nor mourn for my re-
fusing the counsel of those that
were good relations."
Inter. "What is it, then, dear
heart, that hath prevailed with
thee to do as thou hast done ?"
Mer. "Why, when our friend
here was packing up to be gone,
I and another went to see her.
64 CHRISTIANA AND
She told us she was sent for to go
to her husband ; and how she had
seen him in a dream, dwelling
among immortals, wearing a
crown, and singing praises to his
Prince, for bringing him thither.
Now, while she was telling these
things, my heart burned within
me. And I thought, If this be
true, I will leave my father and
my mother, and the land of my
nativity, and will go, if I may,
along with Christiana. So I
asked her further of the truth of
these things, and came with her
with a heavy heart for that so
many of my relations were left
behind. And I will go, if I may,
with Christiana, unto her husband
and his King."
HER CHILDREN. 65
Inter. ' ' Thy setting out is good ;
thou art as Ruth, who for the
love she bare Naomi and the Lord
her God, left father and mother,
the land of her nativity, and her
people. 'The Lord recompense
thy work, and a full reward be
given thee of the Lord God of
Israel, under whose wings thou
art come to trust.' "
Now supper was ended, and
preparation made for bed ; Chris-
tiana and Mercy were laid singly
alone, and the boys by them-
selves.
Now when Mercy was in bed,
she could not sleep for joy, for
now her doubts of missing at last
were removed further from her
than ever they were before. So
5
66 CHRISTIANA AND
she lay blessing and praising God,
who had snch favor for her.
In the morning they arose with
the sun, and prepared themselves
for their departure ; but the In-
terpreter would have them tarry a
while ; ■ ' For, ' ' said he, ' ' you
must go orderly from hence."
Then said he to the damsel
Innocence, "Take them and lead
them into the garden to the bath
and there wash them and make
them clean from the soil which
they have gathered by travelling. ' '
Then Innocent took them into
the garden, and brought them to
the bath of Sanctification. Then
they went in and washed ; and
came out of that bath not only
sweet and clean but also enliven-
HER CHILDREN. 67
Bath of Sanctification.
HER CHILDREN. 69
ed and strengthened. So when
they came in they looked fairer a
deal than when they went out to
the washing.
Then the Interpreter took them
and looked upon them, and said
unto them, ' ' Fair as the moon. ' ' So
he called for a seal and when it
was brought, set his mark upon
them, that they might be known
in the places whither they were
yet to go. This seal also added to
their beauty, and made their coun-
tenances niore like those of angels.
Then said he to Innocence,
" Go into the vestry, and fetch
out garments for these people."
So she went and fetched out
white raiment, and laid it down
before him; so he commanded
70 CHRISTIANA AND
them to put it on : it was fine
linen, white and clean.
When the women were thns
adorned, they seemed to be a ter-
ror one to the other ; for that they
could not see that glory each one
had in herself, which they could
see in each other. Now therefore
they began to esteem each other
better than themselves. The chil-
dren also stood amazed, to see into
what fashion they were brought.
The Interpreter then called for
a man-servant of his, one Great-
Heart, and bade him take a sword
and helmet, and shield ; and,
1 ' Take these my daughters, ' ' said
he, ' ' conduct them to the house
called Beautiful, at which place
they will rest next."
HER CHILDREN. 71
So he took his weapons, and
went before them ; and the Inter-
preter said, God-speed. The fami-
ly also sent them away with many
a good wish. Thus they started
again on their way, sometimes
singing as they went.
So they went on until they came
to the place where Christian's
burden fell off his back. Here
then they made a pause ; here
also they blessed God.
"Now," said Christiana, " it
comes to my mind that it was
said to us at the gate, that we
should have pardon by word and
by deed. What the promise is, of
that I know something ; but what
it is to have pardon by deed, or
in the way that it was obtained,
72 CHRISTIANA AND
Mr. Great-Heart, I suppose you
know ; wherefore if you please,
let us hear your discourse thereon.
Then did Mr Great-heart open
lovingly to them the glorious
doctrine of justification by Christ,
so that their hearts were stirred
within them, with increased love
to Him who had bought them
with his precious blood.
Christiana at last broke out : —
"True, methinks it makes
my heart bleed to think that He
should bleed for me. Oh, thou
loving One ; Oh, thou blessed
One ! Thou deservest to have
me : thou hast bought me. Thou
deservest to have me all : thou
hast paid for me ten thousand
times more than I am worth.
HER CHILDREN. 73
Oh, Mercy, that thy father and
mother were here ; yea, and Mrs.
Timorous and Madam Wanton
too. Surely, surely, their hearts
would be affected ; nor could they
refuse to become pilgrims."
Now I saw in my dream, that
they went on until they came to
the place where Simple, Sloth and
Presumption, lay asleep, when
Christiana went by, and behold,
they were hanged up in irons a
little way off on the other side,
for a caution to other bad men.
Then they went on till they came
to the foot of the hill Difficulty ;
here Mr. Great-Heart took occa-
sion to tell them what happened
there when Christian went by. So
he had them first to the spring.
74 CnKISTIANA AND
Next lie showed them the two
by-ways at the foot of the hill,
where Formality and Hypocrisy
lost themselves. And, said he,
these are dangerous paths, and
although, you see, these ways are
since stopped up with chains,
posts, and a ditch, yet there are
those that will choose to adven-
ture here, rather than take the
pains to go up this hill.
Then they set forward, and be-
gan to go up the hill. But before
they got to the top, Christiana be-
gan to pant, and said, ' ' I dare
say this is a breathing hill ; no
marvel if they that love their ease
more than their souls choose to
themselves a smoother way."
Then said Mercy, l l I must sit
HER CHILDREN. 75
down : ' ' also the least of the chil-
dren began to cry.
"Come, come," said Great-
heart, ' ' sit not down here ; for a
little above is the Prince's arbor."
Then he took the little boy by
the hand, and led him up thereto.
When they were come to the
arbor, they were very willing to
sit down.
Then said Mercy,
1 ' How sweet is rest to them
that labor ; and how good is the
Prince of pilgrims to provide such
resting-places for them!"
Then said Mr. Great-Heart to
the little ones,
1 ' Come, my pretty boys, how
do you do ? What think you now
of going on pilgrimage ?"
76 CHRISTIANA AND
"Sir," said the least, "I was
almost beat out of heart ; but I
thank you for lending me a hand
at my need. And I remember
now what my mother hath told
me, namely, that the way to hea-
ven is as a ladder, and the way to
hell is as down a hill. But I had
rather go up the ladder to life,
than down the hill to death."
Then said Mercy,
"But the proverb is, 'To go
down the hill is easy. ' ' '
But James said, for that was
his name, "The day is coming
when, in my opinion, going down
the hill will be the hardest of all. ' ■
"'Tis a good boy," said his
master; "thou hast given her a
right answer."
HER CHILDREN. 77
Then Mercy smiled, but the
little boy did blush.
1 ' Come, ' ' said Christiana, ' ' will
you eat a bit while you sit here to
rest ? for I have a piece of pome-
granate which Mr. Interpreter put
into my hand when I came out of
his door ; he give me also a piece
of honey-comb, and a bottle of
wine." Then she gave to them,
and they did eat, both Mercy and
the boys.
And said Christiana to Mr.
Great-Heart,
" Sir, will you do as we do ?"
But he answered, " You are go-
ing on pilgrimage, and presently
I shall return ; much good may
what you have do you : at home
I eat the same every day."
78 CHRISTIANA AND
Now when they had eaten and
drank, and talked a little longer,
their gnide said to them,
i ' The day wears away ; if you
think good, let us prepare to be
going." So they got up to go,
and the little boys went before ;
but Christiana forgot her bottle,
so she sent her little boy back to
fetch it.
Then said Mercy,
' ' I think this is a losing place :
here Christian lost his roll, and
here Christiana her bottle. Sir,
what is the cause of this?"
So their guide made answer,
* ' The cause is sleep, or forget-
fulness. Pilgrims should watch,
under their greatest enjoyments ;
but for want of doing so, often-
HER CHILDREN. 79
times their rejoicing ends in tears,
and their sunshine in a cloud."
When they come to the place
where Mistrust and Timorous met
Christian, to persuade him to go
back for fear of the lions, they
saw a stage erected, with verses
written thereon, and underneath
the verses the inscription : — " This
stage was built to punish those
upon, who, through timorousness
or mistrust, shall be afraid to go
further on pilgrimage. Also, on
this stage both Mistrust and Timor-
ous were burned through the
tongue with a hot iron, for en-
deavoring to hinder Christian on
his journey."
Then said Meroy,
"This is much like to the say-
80 CHRISTIANA AND
ing of the Beloved, ' What shall
be given unto thee, or what shall
be done unto thee, thou false
tongue ? Sharp arrows of the
mighty, with coals of juniper.' "
So they went on till they came
within sight of the lions.
Now Mr. Great-Heart was a
strong man, so he was not afraid
of a lion. But yet when they
were come to where the lions were,
the boys, that went before, were
now glad to cringe behind, for
they were afraid. At this their
guide smiled, and said,
11 How now, my boys, do you
love to go before when no danger
doth approach, and love to come
behind so soon as the lions ap-
pear ?"
CHILDREN. 81
Giant-Grim and the lions.
HER CHILDREN. 83
Now, as they went on, Mr.
Great-Heart drew his sword, with
intent to make a way for the pil-
grims in spite of the lions.
Then there appeared one that it
seems, had taken upon him to
back the lions ; and he said to
the pilgrims' guide : — " What is
the cause of your coming hither?"
Now the name of that man was
Grim, or Bloody-man, because of
his slaying of pilgrims ; and he
was of the race of the giants.
Then said the pilgrims' guide,
" These women and children
are going on pilgrimage, and this
is the way they must go ; and go
they shall, in spite of thee and
the lions.
Grim. " This is not their way,
84 CHRISTIANA AND
neither shall they go therein. I
am come forth to withstand them,
and to that end will back the
lions."
Then he swore by the lions, and
bid them turn aside, for they
should not have passage there.
But Great-Heart made first his
approach unto Grim, and laid so
heavily on him with his sword
that he forced him to retreat.
Then said he that attempted to
back the lions, "Will you slay
me upon my own ground ?"
Gieat. " It is the King's high-
way that we are in; these wo-
men, and these children, though
weak, shall hold on their way in
spite of thy lions."
And with that he gave him
HER CHILDREN. 85
again a downright blow, and
brought him upon his knees.
With this blow also he broke his
helmet, and with the next he cut
off an arm. Then did the giant
roar so hideously that his voice
frightened the women, and yet
they were glad to see him lie
sprawling upon the ground.
Now the lions were chained,
and so of themselves could do
nothing. Wherefore, when old
Grim, that intended to back them,
was dead, Mr. Great-Heart said to
the pilgrims, "Come now, and
follow me, and no hurt shall
happen to you from the lions."
They therefore went on, but
the women trembled as they pass-
ed by them ; the boys also looked
86 CHRISTIANA AND
as if they would die ; but they all
got by without further hurt.
Now, they were within sight of
the porter's lodge, and soon came
up into it. So the guide knocked,
and the porter cried, ' ; Who is
there?"
But as soon as the guide had
said, " It is I, " he knew his voice,
and came down, for the guide had
oft before that come thither as a
conductor of pilgrims.
When he opened the gate and
saw not the women, for they were
behind, he said, " How now, Mr.
Great-Heart, what is your business
here so late at night ? ' '
' ' I have brought, ' ' answered he,
"some pilgrims hither, where, by
my Lord's commandment, they
HER CHILDREN. 87
must lodge. I had been here some
time ago, had I not been opposed
by the giant that did use to back
the lions But I, after a long and
tedious combat, have cut him off,
and have brought the pilgrims
hither in safety."
Por. i ' Will you not go in, and
stay till morning ?
Great. " No, I will return to
my Lord to-night. ' '
Chr. u O, sir, I know not how
to be willing you should leave us
in our pilgrimage : you have
been so faithful and so loving to
us, you have fought so stoutly
for us, you have been so hearty
in counselling of us, that I shall
never forget your favor towards
us."
bO CHRISTIANA AND
Then said Mercy,
' ' that we might have thy
company to our journey's end.
How can snch poor women as we
hold out in a way so full of trou-
bles as this way is, without a
friend and defender?"
Then said James, the youngest
of the boys,
1 ' Pray, sir, be persuaded to go
with us, and help us, because we
are so weak, and the way is so
dangerous."
Great. ' ' I am at my Lord' s com-
mandment ; if he shall allot me to
be your guide quite through, I
will willingly wait upon you.
But here you failed at first ; for
when he bid me come thus far
with you, then you should have
HER CHILDREN. 89
begged me of him to have gone
quite through with you, and he
would have granted your request.
However, at present I must with-
draw ; and so, good Christiana,
Mercy, and my brave children,
adieu."
Then the porter, Mr. Watchful,
asked Christiana of her country,
and of her kindred. And when
she had told him who she was,
and, pointing to Mercy said, ' ' This
also is one of my townswomen
and these children are the chil-
dren of Christian my husband ; " — -
he rang his bell, and there came
to the door one of the damsels,
whose name was Humble-Mind ;
and to her the porter said,
"Go tell it within, that Chris-
90 CHRISTIANA AND
tiana, the wife of Christian, and
her children, are come hither on
pilgrimage."
She went in, therefore, and told
it. But 0, what noise for glad-
ness was there within when the
damsel did but drop that out of
her mouth.
So they came with haste to the
porter, for Christiana stood still
at the door. Then some of the
most grave said unto her,
' ' Come in, Christiana, come in,
thou wife of that good man ; come
in, thou blessed woman, come in,
with all that are with thee." So
they went in.
Now they were led into a large
room, where they were bidden to
sit down ; so they sat down, and
HER CHILDREN. 91
the chief of the house were called
to see and welcome them.
Now, because it was somewhat
late, and the pilgrims were weary,
they desired, as soon as might be,
to go to rest. Nay, said those of
the family, refresh yourselves first
with a morsel of meat. So when
they had supped, and ended their
prayer with a psalm, they desired
they might go to to rest.
" But let us," said Christiana,
11 if we may be so bold as to choose,
be in that chamber that was my
husband's' when he was here;"
so they led them up thither, and
they all lay in a room. When
they were at rest, Christiana and
Mercy entered into discourse.
Chr. "Little did I think once,
92 CHRISTIANA AND
when my husband went on pil-
grimage, that I should ever have
followed him."
Mer. * ' And you as little thought
of lying in his bed, and in his
chamber to rest, as you do now. ' '
Chr. i i And much less did I
ever think of seeing his face with
comfort, and of worshipping the
Lord and King with him ; and yet
now I believe I shall."
Mer. " Hark, don't you hear a
noise ?"
Chr. "Yes, it is, as I believe,
a noise of music, for joy that we
are here."
Mer. ' l Wondeful ! Music in
the house, music in the heart, and
music also in heaven, for joy that
we are here." Thus they talked
HER CHILDREN. 93
a while, and then betook them-
selves to sleep.
So in the morning when they
were awake, Christiana said to
Mercy,
14 What was the matter, that
you did laugh in your sleep to-
night ? I suppose you were in a
dream ?"
Mer. " So I was and a sweet
dream it was ; but are you sure I
laughed ?"
Chr. M Yes, you laughed hearti-
ly ; but prithee, Mercy, tell me
thy dream."
Mer. "I was dreaming that I
sat all alone in a solitary place,
and was bemoaning the hard-
ness of my heart. Now I had
not sat there long but methought
94 CHRISTIANA AND
many were gathering about me to
see me, and to hear what it was
that I said. So they hearkened,
and I went on bemoaning the hard-
ness of my heart. At this some
of them laughed at me, some call-
ed me fool, and some began to
thrust me about. With that me-
thought I looked up and saw one
coming with wings towards me.
So he came directly to me, and
said, Mercy, what aileth thee ?
Now when he had heard me make
my complaint, he said, Peace be
to thee ; he also wiped my eyes
with his handkerchief, and clad
me in silver and gold. He put a
chain about my neck, and ear-
rings in my ears, and a beautiful
crown upon my head. Then he
HER CHILDREN. 95
took me by the hand, and said,
Mercy, come after me. So he went
up, and I followed till we came to
a golden gate. Then he knocked
and when they within had opened
the man went in, and I followed
him up to a throne, upon which
one sat ; and he said to me, Wel-
come, daughter. The place look-
ed bright and twinkling, like the
stars, or rather like the sun, and
I thought that I saw your hus-
band there ; so I awoke from my
dream. But did I laugh ?"
Chr. "Laugh! aye, and well
you might, to see yourself so well. ' '
Mer. " Well, I am glad of my
dream ; for I hope ere long to see
it fulfilled, to the making me
laugh again.' ■
96 CHRISTIANA AND
Chr. " I think it is now high
time to rise and to know what we
must do."
Mer. " Pray, if they invite us
to stay a while, let us willingly
accept of the proffer. I am the
more willing to stay a while here
to grow better acquainted with
these maids : methinks Prudence
Piety, and Charity, have very
comely and sober countenances."
Chr. " We shall see what they
will do."
So when they were up and ready,
they came down, and they asked
one another of their rest, and if
it was comfortable or not.
" Very good, " said Mercy ; " it
was one of the best night's lodg-
ings that ever I had in my life."
HER CHILDREN. 97
Then said Prudence and Piety,
"If you will be persuaded to stay
here a while, you shall have what
the house will afford. ' '
"Aye, and that with very good
will, ' ' said Charity.
So they consented, and stayed
there about a month or more,
and became very profitable one to
another. And because Prudence
would see how Christiana had
brought up her children, she
asked leave of her to catechize
them. So she gave her free con-
sent. Then she began with the
youngest, whose name was James.
The little fellow answered her
questions so well that Prudence
was much pleased, and com-
mended Christiana for thus bring-
7
yU CHRISTIANA AND
ing liim up. She then catechized
Joseph and Samnel, and ended
with Matthew who was the eldest.
After praising the boys she told
them, still to hearken to their
mother for she could teach them
more, and to their great profit.
Now the pilgrims had been at
this place a week, when Mercy
had a visitor that pretended some
good- will unto her, and his name
was Mr. Brisk ; a man of some
breeding, one that professed re-
ligion, but that stuck very close to
the world. So he came once or
twice, or more, to Mercy, and
offered love unto her. Now
Mercy was of a fair countenance,
and therefore more alluring.
Her mind also was to be always
HER CHILDREN. 99
%y mi
Prudence catechizing the children.
HER CHILDREN. 101
busying of herself in doing ; for
when she had nothing to do for
herself, she would be making hose
and garments for others, and
would bestow them upon those
that had need. And Mr. Brisk
not knowing where or how she
disposed of what she made, seem-
ed to be greatly taken, for that he
found her never idle. I will
warrant her a good housewife,
quoth he to himself.
Mercy then revealed the busi-
ness to the maidens that were of
the house, and inquired of them
concerning him, for they did
know him better than she. So
they told her that he was a very
busy young man, and one who
pretended to religion, but was, as
102 CHRISTIANA AND
they feared, a stranger to the
power of that which is good.
* l Nay then, ' ' said Mercy, ' ' I will
look no more on him ; for I pur-
pose never to have a clog to my
soul."
Prudence then replied, that
there needed no matter of great
discouragement to be given to him ;
her continuing so as she had be-
gun to do for the poor would
quickly cool his courage.
So the next time he comes he
finds her at her old work, making
things for the poor. Then said he,
11 What always at it?"
"Yes," said she, "either for
myself or others."
"And what canst thou earn a
day ?" said he.
HER CHILDREN. 103
11 I do these things" said, she,
11 that I may be rich in good works
laying np in store for myself a
good foundation against the time
to come, that I may lay hold on
eternal life."
" Why, prithee, what does t thou
with them ?" said he.
" Clothe the naked," said she.
With that his countenance fell.
So he forbore to come at her
again. And when he was asked
the reason why, he said,
" That Mercy was a pretty lass
but troubledwith strange notions. ' '
Now Matthew, the eldest son
of Christiana, fell sick, and his
sickness was sore upon him
for he was much pained in his
bowels.
104 CHRISTIANA AND
There dwelt also not far from
thence one Mr. Skill, an ancient
and well approved physician. So
Christiana desired it, and they
sent for him, and he came. When
he had entered the room, and had
a little observed the boy, he con-
cluded that he was sick of the
gripes.
Then he said to his mother,
11 What diet has Matthew of late
fed upon?"
" Diet?" said Christiana, "no-
thing but what is wholesome."
The physician answered,
"This boy has been tampering
with something that lies in his
stomach undigested. And I tell
you he must be purged, or else he
will die."
HER CHILDREN 105
Then said Samuel, " Mother,
what was that which my brother
did gather and eat as soon as we
were come from the gate that is
at the head of this way? You
know there was an orchard on the
left hand, and some of the trees
hung over the wall, and my bro-
ther did pluck and eat."
11 True, my child," said Chris-
tiana, "he did take thereof, naugh-
ty boy as he was. I chid him, and
yet he would eat thereof."
"I knew he had eaten some-
thing that was not wholesome,
and that food is the fruit of Beel-
zebub's orchard. 1 do marvel
that none did warn you of it ;
many have died thereof."
Then Christiana began to cry ;
106 CHRISTIANA AND
and she said, ■ ' Oh, naughty boy !
and Oh, careless mother ! what
shall I do for my son ?"
Skill. " Come, do not be dejec-
ted ; the boy may do well again,
but he must purge and vomit."
Chris. " Pray, sir, try the ut-
most of your skill with him, what-
ever it costs.
Skill. " Nay, I hope I shall be
reasonable."
So he made him a purge, but
it was too weak : it was made of
the blood of a goat, the ashes of a
heifer, and some of the juice of
hyssop. Wben Mr. Skill had
seen that that purge was too weak
he made one to the purpose. It
was made ex came et sanguine
Christi, (of the flesh and blood of
HER CHILDREN. 107
ChristJ and was shaped into
pills, with a promise or two, and
a proportionable quantity of salt.
He was to take them three at a
time, fasting, in half a quarter of
a pint of the tears of repentance.
When this potion was prepared,
and brought to the boy, he was
loath to take it.
" Come, come," said the physi-
cian, " you must take it."
" It goes against my stomach,"
said the boy.
"I must have you take it,"
said his mother.
" I shall vomit it up again,"
said the boy.
" Pray sir," said Christiana to
Mr. Skill, " how does it taste?"
"It has no ill taste, "said the
108 CHRISTIANA AND
doctor ; and with that she touched
one of the pills with the tip of
her tongue.
"Oh, Matthew/' said she, "this
potion is sweeter than honey.
If thou lovest thy mother, if thou
lovest thy brothers, if thou lovest
Mercy, if thou lovest thy life,
take it."
"So with much ado, after a
short prayer, for the blessing of
God upon it, he took it, and it
wrought kindly with him. It
caused him to purge; it caused
him to sleep, and to rest quietly ;
it put him into a fine heat and
breathing sweat, and did quite rid
him of his gripes.
So in a little time he got up,
and walked about with a staff,
HER CHILDREN. 109
and would go from room to room,
and talk with Fiudence, Piety,
and Charity, of his distemper,
and how he was healed.
Now about this time their month
was out ; wherefore they signified
to those of the house, that it was
convenient for them to he up and
going.
Then said Joseph to his mother,
41 It is proper that you forget not
to send to the house of Mr. Inter-
preter, to pray him to grant that
Mr. Great- Heart should he sent un-
to us, that he may he our conduc-
tor for the rest of the way."
44 Good boy," said she, 44 I had
almost forgot."
So she drew up a petition, and
prayed Mr. Watchful the porter to
110 CHRISTIANA AND
send it by some fit man to her good
friend Mr. Interpreter ; who when
it was come, and he had seen the
contents of the petition, said to
the messenger, "Go, tell them
that I will send him. "
When the family where Chris-
tiana was, saw that they had a
purpose to go forward, they called
the whole honse together, to give
thanks to their King for sending
of them such profitable guests as
these. Which done, they said
unto Christiana, " And shall we
not show thee something, as our
custom is to do to pilgrims, on
which thou mayest meditate when
thou art upon thy way ?"
So they took Christiana, her
children, and Mercy, into the
HER CHILDREN. Ill
closot, and showed them some of
the fruit that Eve ate of, and
that she also did give to her hus-
band, and that for the eating of
which they were both turned out
of Paradise, and asked her what
she thought that was.
Then Christiana said, "It is a
food or poison, I know not which."
So they opened the matter to her,
and she held up her hands and
wondered.
Then they led her to a place,
and showed her Jacob's lad-
der. Now at that time there
were some angels ascending upon
it. So Christiana looked and
looked to see the angels go up:
so did the rest of the company.
Then they were going into an-
112 CHRISTIANA AND
other place, to show them some-
thing else ; but James said to his
mother, Pray, bid them stay here
a little longer, for this is a curious
sight. So they turned again, and
stood feeding their eyes with this
so pleasant a prospect.
After this, they led them into
a place where did hang up a gold-
en anchor. So they bid Chris-
tiana take it down ; for, said they,
11 You shall have it with you, for
it is of absolute necessity that you
should, that you may lay hold of
that within the veil, and stand
steadfast in case you should meet
with turbulent weather," so they
were glad therof.
Then they took them, and led
them to the mount upon which
HER CHILDREN. 113
Abraham our father offered up
Isaac his son, and showed them
the altar, the wood, the fire, and
the knife, for they remain to be
seen to this very day.
When they had seen it, they
held up their hands and said,
"Oh, what a man for love to
his Master, and for denial to him-
self, was Abraham!"
After that Prudence took them
into a dining-room, where stood
a musical instrument. So she
played upon it, and turned what
she had showed them into an ex-
cellent song.
Now, about this time one knock-
ed, and behold it was Mr. Great-
lleart. On seeing him our pilgrims
rejoiced, and gladly welcomed him.
114 CHRISTIANA AND
Then said Mr. Great-Heart to
Christiana and Mercy.
" My Lord has sent each of yon a
bottle of wine, and also some par-
ched corn, together with a conple
of pomegranates ; he has sent tho
boys some figs and raisins, to re-
fresh yon in yonr way."
Then they addressed themselves
to their jonrney, and Prudence
and Piety went along with them.
When they came to the gate,
Christiana asked the porter if any
of late had passed. He said,
c * Only one, who told me that of
late there had been a great robbery
on the King's highway as yon go.
But," said he, "the thieves are
taken, and will shortly be tried
for their lives."
HER CHILDREN. 115
Then Christiana and Mercy were
afraid; hut Matthew said,
; 'Mother, fearnothing,aslongas
Mr. Great-Heart is to go with us,
and to he our conductor."
Then said Christiana to the
porter,
u Sir, I am ohliged to you for
the kindnesses you have showed
to us since we came hither. I
know not how to express our
sense of your kindness ; where-
fore, pray, as a token of my re-
spect to you, accept of this small
mite."
So she put a gold angel in his
hand ; and he made her a low
obeisance, and said,
" Let thy garments be always
white ; and let thy head want no
116 CHRISTIANA AND
ointment. Let Mercy live and
not die, and let not her works be
few." And to the boys he
said, " Do you fly youthful lusts,
and follow after godliness, so shall
you put gladness into your
mother's heart, and obtain praise
of all that are sober-minded."
So they thanked the porter and
departed.
Now I saw in my dream, that
they went forward to the brow of
the hill ; where Piety, bethinking
herself, cried out,
' ' Alas, I have forgot what I
intended to bestow upon Chris-
tiana and her companions : I will
go back and fetch it. ' ' So she ran
and fetched it.
While she was gone, Christiana
HER CHILDREN. 117
thought she heard, in a grove a
little off, a most curious melodious
note, with words much like
these,
" Through all my life thy favor is
So frankly showed to me,
That in thy house for evermore
My dwelling-place shall be."
And listening still she thought
she heard another answer it
saying,
" For why ? The Lord our God is good ;
11U mercy is for ever sure :
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure."
So Christiana asked Prudence
who it was that made these curi-
ous notes: M They are," answered
she, ' ' our country birds : they
118 CHRISTIANA AND
sing these notes but seldom,
except it be at the spring, when
the flowers appear, and the sun
shines warm, and then you may
hear them all day long. I often,
go out to hear them ; and they
make the woods and groves and
solitary places desirable to be
in."
By this time Piety was come
again. So she said to Christiana,
' ' Look here, I have brought
thee a scheme of those things
thou hast seen at our house, upon
which thou mayest look and call
them again to remembrance."
Now they began to go down the
hill into the valley of Humiliation.
It was steep and the way slippery,
but they were very careful; so
HER CHILDREN. 119
they got down pretty well. When
they were down Piety said to
Christiana,
" This is the place where Chris-
tian, yonr husband, met with the
foul fiend Apollyon, and where
they had that dreadful fight. But
be of good courage ; as long as
you have here Mr. Great-Heart to
be your guide and conductor, we
hope you will fare better."
So when these two had com-
mitted the pilgrims unto the con-
duct of their guide, he went for-
ward, and they went after.
Now Mr. Great-Heart as they
went along discoursed to them
especially of the valley of Hu-
miliation and why it was that
Christian was here so sore put to
120 CHRISTIANA AND
it ; because of his slips before
be came hither. He said also
much in favor of this valley : —
" Behold how green it is ; also
how beautiful with lilies. ' '
Now as they were going along
and talking, they espied a boy
feeding his father's sheep. The
boy was in very mean clothes,
but of a fresh and well-favored
countenance ; and as he sat by
himself he sung.
"Hark," said Mr. Great-Heart,
"to what the shepherd's boy
saith. ' ' So they hearkened, and
he said,
" He that is down, needs fear no fall ;
He that is low, no pride :
He that is humble, ever shall
Have God to be his guide.
HER CHILDREN. 121
Shepherd boy in the Valley of Hu-
miliation.
HER CHILDREN. 123
I am content with what I have,
Little be it or much ;
And, Lord, contentment still I crave,
Because thou savest such-
Fullness to such a burden is,
That go on pilgrimage ;
Here little, and hereafter bliss,
Is best from age to age."
Then said the guide,
' ' Do you hear him ? I will dare
to say this boy lives a merrier
life, and wears more of that herb
called heart' s-ease in his bosom,
than he that is clad in silk and
velvet, ' '
As they went on, Samuel said
to Mr. Great-Heart,
" Sir, I perceive this valley is
very large ; can you tell where-
abouts was the fight that my
father had with Apollyon ?"
124 CHRISTIANA AND
Great. ' ' Yes, at a place yonder
before us, in a narrow passage,
just beyond Forgetful Green.
And indeed that place is the most
dangerous place in all these parts.
This is the place also where others
have been hard put to it. But
I persuade myself that to this
day there remains there some
monument to testify that such a
a battle was fought."
Then said Mercy,
' ' I think I am as well in this
valley as I have been anywhere
else in all our journey: the place
methinks, suits with my spirit. I
love to be where there is no rat-
tling with coaches, nor rumbling
with wheels. Methinks, here one
may, without molestation, think
HER CHILDREN. 125
what he is, whence he came, what
he has done, and to what the King
has called him."
" 'Tis true," said their gnide ;
" I have often gone through this
valley and never was better than
when here. I have also been a
conductor to several pilgrims, and
they have confessed the same."
Now they were come to the
place where the aforementioned
battle was fought. Then said the
guide to Christiana, her children,
and Mercy,
"This is the place; on this
ground Christian stood, and up
there came Apollyon against
nim. And lo, as I thought, yon-
der stands a monument, on which
is engraven this battle, and Chris-
126 CHRISTIANA AND
tian's victory, to his fame through-
out all ages."
So they stopped a while to look
upon it and read the account
written thereon.
When they had passed by this
place, they came upon the bor-
ders of the Shadow of Death. But
these women and children went
the better through it, because
they had daylight, and because Mr.
Great-Heart was their conductor.
When they were entered upon
this valley, they thought they
heard a groaning, as of some in
torment. These tilings made the
boys to quake ; the women also
looked pale and wan ; but their
guide bade them be of good com-
fort.
HER CHILDREN. 127
So they went on a little further,
and thought they felt the ground
shake under them ; they heard
also a kind of hissing, as of ser-
pents. Then said the boys,
1 ' Are we not at the end of this
doleful place?"
But the guide bade them be of
good courage, and look well to
their feet ; lest haply, said he,
you be taken in some snare.
Now James became sick through
fear ; so his mother gave him some
wine, and three pills Mr. Skill had
prepared, so he began to revive.
Thus they went on till they came
to about the middle of the valley ;
and then Christiana said,
"Methinks I see something
yonder upon the road before us,
128 CHRISTIANA AND
a thing of a shape such as I have
not seen."
Then said Joseph, "Mother,
what is it?"
" An ugly thing, child , an ugly
thing," said she.
"But, mother, what is it like ?"
said he.
"'Tis like I cannot tell what,"
said she; "and now it is but a
little way off."
Then said she,
"It is nigh."
"Well," said Mr. Great-Heart,
"let them that are most afraid
keep close to me." So the fiend
came on, and the conductor met
it ; but when it was just come to
him, it vanished to all their sights.
Then remembered they what had
HER CHILDREN. 129
been said some time ago, " Resist
the devil, and he will flee from
you."
They went on therefore a little re-
freshed, but had not gone far, be-
fore Mercy, looking behind her,
saw, as she thought, something
most like a lion, and it came at a
great paddling pace after : and it
had a hollow voice of roaring ;
and at every roar it gave, it made
the valley echo, and their hearts
to ache, save the heart of him that
was their guide. So it came up,
and Mr. Great- Heart went behind,
and put the pilgrims all before
him. The lion also came on
apace, and Mr. Great-Heart ad-
dressed himself to give him battle.
But when the foe saw that it was
9
130 CHRISTIANA AND
determined that resistance should
be made, he also drew back, and
came no further.
Then they went on again, and
their conductor went before them,
till they came to a place where
was cast a pit the whole breadth
of the way ; and before they could
be prepared to go over that, a
great mist and a darkness fell
upon them, so that they could not
see. Then said the pilgrims,
" Alas, what now shall we do ?"
But their guide made answer,
"Fear not; stand still, and see
what an end will be put to this
also;" so they stayed there, be-
cause their path was marred.
They then also thought that they
did hear more evidently the
HER CHILDREN.
131
Id the Valley of the Shadow of Death.
HER CHILDREN. 133
noise and rushing of the enemies ;
the fire also and smoke of the pit
was much easier to be discerned.
Then said Christiana to Mercy,
" Now I see what my poor hus-
band went through. I have heard
much of this place, but I never
was here before ; none can tell
what the valley of the Shadow of
Death means until they come
into it themselves. The heart
knoweth its own bitterness ; and
a stranger intermeddleth not with
its joy. To be here is a fearful
thing."
Then said Mr. Great-Heart,
' c Come, let us pray for light to
Him that can lighten our dark-
ness, and that can rebuke not only
these, but all the Satans in hell."
134 CHRISTIANA AND
So they cried and prayed, and
God sent light and deliverance.
Yet they were not got through
the valley. So they went on still,
through loathsome ways, to their
great annoyance.
Then said Mercy to Christiana,
1 'It is not so pleasant being
here as at the gate, or at the In-
terpreter's, or at the house where
we lay last."
" hut," said one of the boys,
"it is not so bad to go through
here, as it is to abide here al-
ways ; and for aught I know, one
reason why we must go this way
to the house prepared for us is,
that our home might be made the
sweeter to us."
"Well said, Samuel," quoth
HER CHILDREN. 135
the guide ; ' ' thou hast now spoke
like a man."
"Why, if ever I get out here
again, ' ' said the boy, ' ' I think I
shall prize light and good way
better than I ever did in all my
life."
Then said the guide,
" We shall be out by-and-by."
So they looked to their feet, and
went on ; but they were troubled
much with the snares. Now,
when they were come among the
snares, they espied a man cast
into the ditch on the left hand,
with his flesh all rent and torn.
Then said the guide,
"That is one Heedless, that
was going this way : he has lain
there a great while. There was
136 CHRISTIANA AND
one Take-Heed with, him when he
was taken and slain, but he es-
caped their hands/'
Now they drew towards the end
of this way ; and just there where
Christian had seen the cave when
he went by, ont thence came forth
Maul, a giant. This Maul did use
to spoil young pilgrims with
sophistry ; and he called Great-
Heart by name, and said unto
him, ' ' How many times have you
been forbidden to do these things?"
Then said Mr. Great-Heart.
••What things?" "What
things ! ; ' quoth the giant ; i ' you
know what things : but I will put
an end to your trade."
•• But pray," said Mr. Great-
Heart, " before we fall to it. let us
HER CHILDREN. 137
understand wherefore we must
fight." Now the women and
children stood trembling, and
knew not what to do.
Then did the giant further abuse
Mr. Great Heart and his Master ;
at last he came at him with his
club. So they fell to it, and at
the first blow the giant struck
Mr. Great-Heart down upon one
of his knees. With that the
women and children cried out.
But Mr. Great-Heart recovering
himself, gave the giant a wound
in his arm. Thus they fought
for an hour, and the breath came
out of the giant's nostrils as heat
out of a boiling caldron.
Then they sat down ; but Mr.
Great-Heart betook himself to
138 CHRISTIANA AND
prayer. Also the women and
children did nothing but sigh and
cry all the time that the battle did
last.
When they had rested, they
both fell to it again. At last after
a hard fight the giant began to
faint, and could hold up his club
no longer.
Then Mr. Great-Heart smote his
head from his shoulders.
At this the women and children
rejoiced, and Mr. Great-Heart also
praised God for their deliverance.
They then amongst them erec-
ted a pillar, and fastened the
giant's head thereon, and wrote
under it, in letters that passen-
gers might read, an account of the
fight and victory.
HER CHILDREN.
139
Mr. Great-Heart and the Pilgrims.
HER CHILDREN. 141
Now I saw that they went on to
the ascent from whence Christian
had the first sight of Faithful ;
here they sat down and rested.
They also did eat and drink, and
rejoiced.
They then fell into discourse
about the fight and of the wonder-
ful love of God in preserving them
and bringing them thus far on
their way. After which they got
up and went forward.
Now a little before them stood
an oak ; and under it, they found
an old pilgrim fast asleep. They
knew he was a pilgrim by his
clothes, and his staff, and his girdle.
So Mr. Great-Heart, awaked
him, and said,
" My name is Great-Heart : I
142 CHRISTIANA AND
•■-•
am the guide of these pilgrims
that are going to the Celestial
country. Pray let me crave your
name, and the name of the place
you came from."
" My name," said he " I cannot
tell you, but I came from the town
of Stupidity : it lieth about four
degrees beyond the city of De-
struction. ' '
Great. ' ' Oh, are you that coun-
tryman ? Then I deem I have half
a guess of you ; your name is
Old Honesty, is it not?"
So the old gentleman blushed,
and said, " Not honesty in the ab-
stract, but Honest is my name ;
and I wish that my nature may
agree to what I am called."
Then the old gentleman saluted
HER CHILDREN. 143
all the pilgrims, and asked them
their names, and how they had
fared since they set out on their
pilgrimage.
But you can scarcely think how
the old gentleman was taken when
Christiana told him who she was.
He skipped, he smiled, he blessed
her and the children with a thou-
sand good wishes.
Then they told him of Mercy,
and how she had left her town and
her kindred to come along with
Christiana. At that the old hon-
est man said,
' l Mercy is thy name : by mercy
shalt thou be sustained and car-
ried through all difficulties that
shall assault thee in thy way, till
thou shalt look the Fountain of
144 CHRISTIANA AND
mercy in the face with com-
fort."
All this while the guide, Mr.
Great-Heart, was very well pleased
and smiled upon his companions.
Now, as they walked along to-
gether, the guide asked the old
gentleman if he did not know one
Mr. Fearing, that came on pil-
grimage out of his parts.
So their talk for some time was
about this true but faint-hearted
pilgrim and his troublesome pil-
grimage. Mr. Great-Heart draw-
ing lessons therefrom of profit for
those who were under his care,
and were now listening to his
words.
Now I saw that they still went
on in their talk. For after Mr.
HER CHILDREN. 145
Great-Heart had made an end with
Mr. Fearing, Mr. Honest began to
tell them of another, Mr. Self-will,
a very different sort of a man in-
deed.
As they were thus talking
on their way, there came one
running to meet them, and said,
1 ' Gentleman, and you of the
weaker sort, if you love life, shift
for yourselves, for the robbers
are before you."
Then said Mr. Great-Heart,
1 i They are the three that set
upon Little-Faith heretofore. We
are ready for them : " so they went
on their way.
Now they looked at every turn-
ing for the villains ; but they
came not up to the pilgrims.
10
146 CHRISTIANA AND
Christiana then wished for an
inn to refresh herself and her
children, because they were weary.
Then said Mr. -Honest,
"There is one a little before ns,
where a very honorable disciple,
one Gains, dwells."
So they all concluded to turn
in thither.
When they came to the door
they went in, not knocking, for
folks use not to knock at the door
of an inn. Then they asked if
they might lie there that night.
Gains. "Yes, gentlemen, if
you be true men ; for my house
is for none but pilgrims."
Then were Christiana, Mercy,
and the boys glad, that the inn-
keeper was a lover of pilgrims.
HER CHILDREN. 147
Then said Mr. Great-Heart,
11 Good Gaius, what hast thou
for supper?"
"It is late," said Gaius, " so
we cannot conveniently go out to
seek food ; but to such as we
have you shall be welcome/'
Great. "We will be content
with what thou hast ; thou art
never destitute of that which is
convenient."
Then he went down and spoke
to the cook, whose name was
Taste-that-which-is-good, to get
ready supper for so many pil-
grims. This done, he comes up
again, saying,
"Good friends, you are wel-
come and while supper is making
ready, let us entertain one another
148 CHRISTIANA AND
with some good discourse:" so
they all said "Content."
Then Gains was told who Chris-
tiana and her children, and Mercy
were ; — and he had words of kind
welcome for them all.
He then told them many things
of Christian's ancestors, whose
names were on record, and of
their valiant doings. He advised
Christiana ahont her boys, and
told her to take Mercy into a
nearer relation to her. ' ' If she
will ' ' said he, ■ ' let her be given as
wife to Matthew thy eldest son."
So in process of time they were
married : but more of that here-
after.
Now the cook sent up to signify
that supper, was almost ready, and
HER CHILDREN. 149
sent one to lay the cloth, and the
trenchers, and to set the salt and
bread in order.
So supper came np.
Then were they full of thankful
joy, and sat at the table a long
time talking. And in their con-
versation were mingled many
thoughts of wisdom culled from
the word of God.
At last Samuel whispered to
Christiana, his mother,
''Mother, this is a very good
man's house: let us stay here a
while, and let my brother Mat-
thew be married here to Mercy,"
The which Gaius their host over-
hearing, said, ' ' With a very good
will, my child."
So they stayed there more than a
150 CHRISTIANA AND
month, and Mercy was given to
Matthew to wife.
While they stayed here, Mercy,
as her custom was, made coats
and garments for the poor, by
which she brought a very good
report upon the pilgrims.
But to return to our story.
After supper the lads desired a
bed, for they were weary. But
the elder ones sat up all night ;
for they could not tell how to
part. After much talk of their
Lord, themselves, and their jour-
ney, they spoke of the experience
of other pilgrims. Thus they sat
talking till break of day.
Now when the family were up,
Christiana bid her son James that
he should read a chapter; so he
HER CHILDREN. 151
read the 53d of Isaiah. When he
had finished they had some plea-
sant talk thereupon, such as pil-
grims delight in ; after which Gai-
ns said, ' ' Now that you are here,
and Mr. Great-Heart is good at his
weapons, after we have refreshed
ourselves, we will walk into the
fields, to see if we can do any good.
About a mile from hence there is
one Slay-good, a giant, that doth
much harm ; and I know where-
about his haunt is."
So they consented and went ;
Mr. Great-Heart with his sword,
helmet, and shield ; and the rest
with spears and staves.
When they came to the place,
they found the giant with one
Feeble-mind in his hand, whom
152 CHRISTIANA AND
his servants had brought in. Now
the giant was rifling him, with a
purpose after that to pick his
bones.
So soon as he saw Mr. Great-
Heart and his friends at the mouth
of his cave, he demanded what
they wanted.
Great. " We want thee ; where-
fore come out of thy cave."
So he armed himself and came
out, and to battle they went, and
fought above an hour, and then
stood still to rest.
Then said the giant, ■ ' Why
are you here on my ground ?"
Great. "To revenge the blood of
pilgrims, as you well know."
So they went at it again, and
the giant made Mr. Great-Heart
HER CHILDREN. 153
give back ; but lie came up again,
and let ny with such, stoutness at
the giant's head and sides, that
he made him let his weapon fall
out of his hand. So he slew him,
and cut off his head and brought
it away to the inn.
He also took Feeble-mind the
pilgrim, and brought him with
him. When they were come
home, they showed the giant's
head to the family, and set it up,
for a terror to those that should
attempt to do as he had done.
Then they asked Mr. Feeble-
mind how he fell into his hands.
Then said the poor man,
1 ' I am sickly and a man of no
strength of body, nor mind,
but would, though I but crawl,
154 CHRISTIANA AND
spend my life in the pilgrim's way.
I have found much relief from
pilgrims, though none were wil-
ling to go so softly as I am forced
to do. When I was come on my
way as far as Assault-lane, the gi-
ant Slay-good met me and forced
me into his den. But I have as
you see, escaped with life, for
which I thank my King as the
author, and you as the means.
My way is before me, my mind is
beyond the river that has no
bridge, though I am as you see,
but of a feeble mind."
After further talk Gaius said
to him,
" Come, sir, be of good cheer;
you are welcome to my house ; call
freely for what thou wantest ; and
HER CHILDKEN. 155
what thou wouldst have my ser-
vants do for thee they will do
with a ready mind."
Then said Mr. Feeble-mind,
gratefully, " This is an unexpect-
ed favor, as the sun shining out of
a very dark cloud . Did giant Slay-
good intend me this favor when he
stopped me, that after he had
rifled my pockets, I should go to
Gains mine host ? Yet so it is."
Now while they were thus in
talk, there came one running, and
said, that about a mile and a half
off one Mr. Not-right, a pilgrim,
was struck dead with a thunder-
bolt.
u Alas," said Mr. Feeble-mind,
" is he slain ? He was with me
when the giant took me, but he
156 CHRISTIANA AND
escaped it seems to die, and I
was taken to live."
Now about the time Matthew
and Mercy were married, Gaius
gave his daughter Phebe to James,
Matthew's brother, to wife ; after
which time they yet stayed about
ten days at Gaius's house.
When they were to depart,
Gaius made them a feast, and
they did eat and drink, and were
merry.
Now the hour was come that
they must be gone, and Mr.
Great-Heart called for a reckon-
ing. But Gaius told him, at his
house it was not the custom for
pilgrims to pay for their enter-
tainment. He looked for his pay
from the good Samaritan.
HER CHILDREN. 157
Then said Mr. Great-Heart to
him,
11 Beloved, thou doest faithfully
whatsoever thou doest to the
brethren, and thou shalt do well."
Then Gaius took his leave of
them all.
Now Mr. Feeble-mind made as if
he intended to linger, which, when
Mr. Great-Heart espied, he said,
"Come, Mr. Feeble-mind, pray
do come along with us : I will be
your conductor, and you shall
fare as the rest."
After some hesitation, for fear
he should be a hindrance to the
others on their way, Mr. Feeble-
mind accepted this kind invita-
tion, and made ready to start with
them.
158 CHRISTIANA AND
Now, all this while they were
at Graius's door ; and behold, Mr.
Ready-to-halt came by, with his
crutches in his hand, and he also
was going on pilgrimage.
Then said Mr. Feeble-mind to
him, " Welcome, welcome, good
Mr. Ready-to-halt; I hope thou
and I may be some help to one
another."
" I shall be glad of thy com-
pany," said the other; " and,
good Mr. Feeble-mind, rather than
we will part, since we are thus
happily met, I will lend thee one
of my crutches."
Thus, therefore, they went on.
Mr. Great-Heart and Mr. Honest
went before, Christiana and her
children next, and Mr. Feeble-
HER CHILDREN. 159
mind came behind, with Mr;
Ready-to-kalt on his crutches.
Thus they went on, their guide
and they talking of things profit-
able, until they came to the place
where Evangelist met Christian
and Faithful, and told them what
should befall them at Vanity Pair.
This brought to their minds what
was there suffered by them, and
how they were sustained in their
severe trials.
Now they came within sight of
the town of Vanity. So they con-
sulted with one another how they
should pass through it ; and some
said one thing and some another.
At last Mr. Great-Heart said,
14 I have often been a conductor
of pilgrims through this town.
160 CHRISTIANA AND
Now, I am acquainted with one
Mr. Mnason, a native of Cyprus,
an old disciple, at whose house
we may lodge. If you think good,
we will turn in there."
At this they all said , ' ' Content. ' '
Now it was evening by the time
they got to the outside of the
town ; but Mr. Great-Heart knew
the way to the old man's house.
So thither they came ; and he
called at the door, and the old
man within knew his tongue as
soon as ever he heard it ; so he
opened the door, and they all
came in.
Then said Mnason their host,
" How far have ye come to-
day?"
So they said,
HER CHILDREN. 161
II From the house of Gaius our
friend."
II I promise you," said he, "you
have gone a good stretch. You
may well be weary; sit down."
So they sat down.
" I also," said Mr. Mnason, " do
bid you welcome ; and whatever
you want, do but say, and we
will do what we can to get it for
you."
So he led them to their re-
spective lodging-places, and also
showed them a very fair dining-
room, where when they were seat-
ed, Mr. Honest asked his landlord
if there was any store of good
people in the town.
Mnas. " We have but a few,com-
pared with the other side."
11
162 CHRISTIANA AND
Hon. "But shall we not see
some of them ?"
Then Mr. Mnason stamped with
his foot, and his daughter Grace
came up. So he said unto her,
" Grace, go you, tell my friends,
Mr. Contrite, Mr. Holy-man, Mr.
Love-saints, Mr. Dare-not-lie, and
Mr. Penitent, that I have friends
at my house who have a mind
this evening to see them."
So Grace went to call them, and
after salutation made, they all sat
down together at the table.
They had much pleasant talk
together, and were rejoiced to find
Christiana, wife of Christian, the
famous pilgrim, and her children
with her, on their way to Mount
Zion.
HEE CHILDREN. 163
Here the pilgrims heard of the
present state of the town ; that
persecution was not so hot at
Vanity Fair as formerly ; and
that, indeed, in some parts of it,
for the town is very large, religion
is counted honorable.
Mr. Great-Heart also related
what had befallen his company
since they started on pilgrimage,
and how they had gradually uni-
ted themselves under his guid-
ance.
Thus they sat talking and spend-
ing the time until supper was set
upon the table, unto which they
went and refreshed their weary
bodies : and then they went to
rest.
Now they stayed in the Fair a
164 CHRISTIANA AND
great while, at the house of Mr.
Mnason, who in process of time
gave his daughter Grace unto
Samuel, Christiana's son, to wife,
and his daughter Martha to
Joseph.
The pilgrims grew acquainted
with many of the good people of
the town, and did them what
service they could, and Mercy, as
she was wont, labored much for
the poor.
While they stayed here, there
came a monster out of the wood,
and slew many of the town. It
would also carry away children,
and teach them to suck its
whelps.
Now Mr. Great-Heart, with those
who came to visit the pilgrims at
HER CHILDREN. 165
Mr. Mnason's house, entered into
a covenant to go and engage this
beast, if perhaps they might de-
liver the people from him.
So they went forth with their
weapons, to meet him. At first he
was very rampant, and looked up-
on them with disdain ; but they
so belabored him, that they made
him make a retreat : so they came
home again to Mr. Mnason's
house.
This therefore, made Mr. Great-
Heart and his fellows of great
fame, and so on this account it was
that the pilgrims got not much
hurt here.
Well, the time grew on that the
pilgrims must go on their way,
therefore they got ready.
166 CHRISTIANA AND
So Mr. Great-Heart went before ;
the women and children, ffor the
family had increased during their
stay in the town,^) being weakly,
were forced to go as they could ;
thus Mr. Ready-to-halt and Mr.
Feeble-mind had more to sym-
pathize with their condition.
So on they came to the place
where Faithful was put to death.
There they made a stand, and
thanked Him that had enabled
him to bear his cross so well.
They went on therefore, after
this, a good way further, talking
of Christian and Faithful, and how
Hopeful joined himself to Chris-
tian after that Faithful was dead.
Now they were come to the hill
Lucre where the silver mine was,
HER CHILDREN. 167
which took Demas off from his
pilgrimage, and into which, as
some think, By-ends fell ; so they
considered that. But when they
were come to the old monument,
to wit, to the pillar of salt, that
stood also within view of Sodom
and its sulphurous lake, they
marvelled, as did Christian before,
that men should be so blinded as
to turn aside here.
I saw now, that they went on
till they came to the river that
was on this side of the Delectable
Mountains ; where the meadows
are green all the year long, and
where also they might lie down
safely.
By this river in the meadows,
there were cotes and folds for
168 CHRISTIANA AND
sheep, a house built for the
nourishing and bringing up of
lambs, the babes of those women
that go on pilgrimage. Also there
was here one that was intrusted
with them.
Now, to the care of this man
Christiana admonished her four
daughters to commit their little
ones, that by these waters they
might be housed, harbored, suc-
cored, and nourished.
Then they went on to By-path
meadow, to the stile over which
Christian went with his fellow
Hopeful, when they were taken
by Giant Despair. Here they sat
down, and consulted what was
best to be done.
After much talking, and because
HER CHILDREN". 169
Mr. Great-Heart advised it, they
resolved as they were strong to go
and fight Giant Despair and de-
stroy him if they could.
So they left the women in the
road with Mr. Feeble-mind, and
Mr. Ready-to-halt, to be their
guard until they came back.
Then Mr. Great-Heart, old Hon-
est, and the four young men,
went up to Doubting Castle.
When they came to the castle gate
they knocked with unusual noise.
At that the old giant comes down
with Diffidence his wife. Then
said lie,
1 1 Who is it that is come to
molest Giant Despair V
Mr. Great-Heart replied,
" It is I, Great-Heart, one of the
170 CHRISTIANA AND
King's conductors of pilgrims ;
and I demand that thou open thy
gates for my entrance : prepare
thyself also to fight, for I am come
to take away thy head, and to
demolish Doubting Castle."
Now Giant Despair thought no
man could overcome him. So he
harnessed himself, and went out.
He had a cap of steel, a breastplate
of fire, and iron shoes, with a
great club in his hand.
Then these six men made up to
him, and beset him before and be-
hind: also when Diffidence the
giantess came up to help him,
old Mr. Honest cut her down at
one blow.
Then they fought for their lives,
and Giant Despair was brought
HER CHILDREN. 171
Giant Despair slain.
HER CHILDREN. 173
down to the ground ; but Great-
Heart was his death, for he left
him not till he had severed his
head from his shoulders.
Then they fell to demolishing
Doubting Castle, and were seven
days in destroying of it.
In it they found one Mr Despon-
dency, a pilgrim, almost starved
to death, and his daughter Much-
afraid. These two they saved
alive. Many dead bodies lay here
and there in the castle-yard, and
the dungeon was full of dead men's
bones.
So they took the head of the
giant, and returned to their com-
panions bringing along with them
Mr. Despondency and his daugh-
ter. Now, when Feeble-mind and
174 CHRISTIANA AND
Ready-to-halt saw that it was the
head of Giant Despair indeed, they
with the rest, were very jocund
and merry.
As for Mr. Despondency, he was
for feeding, for he was almost
starved. So Christiana gave him
of her bottle, and then prepared
him something to eat; and in a
little time he began to be revived.
Now Mr. Great-Heart took the
head of Giant Despair, and set it
upon a pole by the highway-side,
over against the pillar that Chris-
tian erected for a caution to pil-
grims to take heed of entering
into his grounds.
Then they went forward, and
went on till they came to the De-
lectable Mountains.
HER CHILDREN. 175
Now the shepherds seeing so
great a train follow Mr. Great-
Heart, for with him they were
well acquainted, said unto him,
"Good sir, you have got a
goodly company here. You are
welcome to us ; for we have food
for the feeble, as well as for the
strong."
So they led them to the palace
door, and then said unto them,
"Come in, Mr. Feeble-mind;
come in, Mr. Ready-to-halt ; come
in, Mr. Despondency, and Mrs.
Much-afraid his daughter ;" — and
to the others also welcome was
again given.
So the feeble and weak went in,
and Mr. Great- Heart and the rest
did follow, and they made them a
176 CHRISTIANA AND
feast of things that were pleasant
and nourishing ; after which they
went to rest.
When morning was come, and
they had refreshed themselves,
the shepherds took them out into
the fields, and showed them first
what they had shown to Christian.
Then they led them to some
new places. The first was Mount
Marvel, where they saw a man at
a distance that tumbled the hills
about with words. The shepherds
told them, ' ' That man was the
son of one Mr. Great-grace, and
he is set there to teach pilgrims
how to believe down, or to tum-
ble Out of their ways, by faith,
difficulties they should meet with,
below."
HER CHILDREN. 177
Then they led them to Mount
Innocence. Here they saw a man
in white ; and two men, Prejudice
and Ill-will, continually casting
dirt upon him. But the dirt
would fall off again.
Then said the shepherds,
4 ' This is Grodly-man, and his
garment is to show the innocency
of his life. You see the dirt will
not stick upon his clothes, so it
shall be with him that liveth in-
nocently in the world. ' '
Then they took them to Mount
Charity, where was a man with a
bundle of cloth before him, out of
which he cut garments for the
poor ; yet his bundle was never
the less.
1 'This is," said they, "to show
12
178 CHRISTIANA AND
that lie who has a heart to give
of his labor to the poor, shall
never want the means."
They then led them where they
saw one Fool, and one Want -wit,
washing an Ethiopian, but the
more they washed the blacker he
was.
So they told them,
" Thus it is with the vile per-
son ; to get such a one a good
name, shall in conclusion tend
but to make him more abomina-
ble."
Then said Mercy to Christiana,
• • Mother, I would, if it might
be, see the hole in the hill, called
the By-way to hell." So her mo-
ther broke her mind to the shep-
herds.
HER CHILDREN. 179
Then they went to the door,
and bid Mercy hearken a while.
So she hearkened, and heard
great lamentations, with cursing
and groaning. Then there was
as if the very earth groaned and
quaked for fear, so she looked
white, and came trembling away.
When the shepherds had shown
them all these things, they took
them back to the palace, and there
entertained them.
Now Mercy longed for a look-
ing-glass that she saw there. This
glass was one of a thousand. It
would present a man, one way,
with his own features ; and turn
it but another way, and it would
show one the very face and simili-
tude of the Prince of pilgrims.
180 CHRISTIANA AXD
Some have said they have seen
the very crown of thorns upon
His head by looking in that glass ;
also the holes in his hands, his
feet, and his side.
Christiana therefore went to the
shepherds, and said, ''There is
one of my daughters that doth
long for something she hath seen
in this house."
Then said one of them, whose
name was Experience,
"Call her, call her; she shall
assuredly have what we can help
her to."
So they called her, and said,
" Mercy, what is it that thou
wouldst have ?"
Then she blushed, and said,
11 The great glass that hangs in
IIER CHILDREN. 181
the dining-room. So it was given
her.
Then she bowed her head, and
gave thanks.
They also gave to the others
such things as they desired. About
Christiana's neck they put a brace-
let, and also about the necks of
her four daughters. They put ear-
rings in their ears, and jewels on
their foreheads.
When they were minded to go
hence, the shepherds bade them go
in peace, and they went on their
way, grateful, and often singing
as they travelled on.
They quickly came to the place
where Christian met with Turn-
away, and soon after to the place
where Little-Faith was robbed.
182 CHRISTIANA AND
Here stood a man with his sword
drawn ,and his face all covered with
blood.
Then said Mr. Great-Heart,
" Who art thou?"
The man made answer, saying,
11 I am one Valiant-for-truth. I
am a pilgrim, and am going to
the Celestial City. As I was in
my way, three men did beset me,
named Wild-head, Inconsiderate,
and Pragmatic. So we fell to it,
for three hours. They have left
upon me some marks of their
valor, and have carried with them
some of mine. They are but just
now gone."
Then said the guide,
1 ' Why did you not cry for suc-
cor?"
HER CHILDREN. 183
Valiant, " So I did to my King,
who could hear me, and afford in-
visible help."
Then after further talk, Mr.
Great- Heart said,
1 'Thou hast done well; thou
hast resisted unto blood. Abide
by us, come in, and go with us ;
for we are thy companions."
Then they washed his wounds,
and gave him of what they had,
to refresh him : and so they went
on together.
Now, as they went on, Mr.
Great- Heart, for the pilgrims' pro-
fit, questioned with him about
many things.
By this time they were got to
the Enchanted Ground, This
place was all grown over with
184 CHRISTIANA AND
briers and thorns, excepting where
was an enchanted arbor, in which
if a man sleeps, it is a question
some say, whether ever he shall
rise or wake again in this world.
Over this forest, therefore, they
went. Mr. Great-Heart went be-
fore ; and Mr. Valiant-f or- truth
came behind, being rear-gnard ;
each man with his sword drawn
in his hand. Also they cheered up
one another as well as they could
Now they had not gone far, but
a great mist and darkness fell up-
on them. Wherefore they were
forced to feel one for another by
words ; for they walked not by
sight. The way also here was
very wearisome, through dirt and
slabbiness.
HER CHILDREN. 185
Then they came to an arbor,
promising much refreshing to the
pilgrims. It had in it a soft
couch ; but there was not one
of them that made so much as a
motion to stop.
I saw then in my dream, that
they went on till they came to a
place where a man is apt to lose his
way. But their guide had in his
pocket a map of all the ways lead-
ing to or from the Celestial City ;
wherefore he struck alight and took
a view of his book or map. And
had he not been careful here to
do so, they had all, in probability,
been smothered ; for a little before
them, was a pit, no one knows
how deep, full of mud.
Then they went on till they
186 CHRISTIANA AND
caine to where there was another
arbor, and there lay two men,
whose names were Heedless and
Too-bold, fast asleep.
So they called each by name,
for the guide it seems, did know
them ; but there was no answer.
The guide also did shake them,
but could not arouse them from
their fatal slumber.
Then the pilgrims, affrighted at
their sad fate, desired with tremb-
ling to go forward; only they
prayed their guide to strike a
light. So they went by the help
of that the rest of the way.
Now when they were almost at
the end, they saw, as they
thought, a man upon his knees,
speaking earnestly to One that
HER CHILDREN. 187
was above. When he had done,
he got up, and began to run to-
wards the Celestial City.
Then Mr. Great-Heart called
after him, saying,
" Soho, friend, let us have
your company, if you are going
to the Celestial City."
So he stopped, and as soon as
Mr. Honest saw him, he said, "I
know this man. His name is
Standfast, a right good pilgrim."
As they came up Standfast said
to old Honest,
" Ho, father Honest, are you
there ? Right glad am I, to find
you on this road."
''And as glad am I," said the
other; " I saw you on your knees."
Then Mr. Standfast blushed.
188 CHRISTIANA AND
After further talk, Standfast
told them that as he was coming
along and musing, there was one
in very pleasant attire, but old,
who presented herself to him and
sorely tempted him. Her name
was Madam Bubble. She made
offers again and again, and though
repulsed still followed him.
" Then," said he, "I betook me,
as you saw, to my knees, and
prayed to Him that had said he
would help. So, just as you came
up, she went her way."
So their talk fell upon Madam
Bubble and the mischiefs which
she has brought about in the
world. Mr. Great -Heart depicted
her in her true colors, and at his
discourse there was among the
HER CHILDREN. 189
pilgrims a mixture of joy and
trembling.
After this, I beheld until they
were come into the land of Beu-
lah. Here they betook themselves
a while to rest. But a little while
soon refreshed them ; for the bells
did so ring, and the trumpets so
sound, that they could not sleep,
yet they received as much re-
freshing as if they had slept ever
so soundly.
In this place the children would
go into the King's gardens, and
gather nosegays for the pilgrims,
and bring them to them. Here
also grew camphire, with spike-
nard and all sweet spices. With
these the pilgrims' chambers were
perfumed.
190 CHRISTIANA AND
Now a post came from the Ce-
lestial City to Christiana, bidding
her within ten days to cross the
river. So she sent for Mr. Great-
Heart and told him about it.
Then she called for her children
and gave them her blessing, and
bequeathed to the poor the little
she had. She also sent for Mr.
Valiant-for-truth, Mr. Honest, and
the other companions of her pil-
grimage, and gave them parting
words of sweet counsel.
Now the day came that she
must be gone. So the road was
full of people. But behold all
the banks beyond the river were
full of horses come down from
above to go with her to the City
gate. So she went over.
HER CHILDREN. 191
A while after a post came for
old Mr. Honest. His last words
were, "Grace reigns!" So he
left the world.
After this Mr. Valiant-for-truth
was summoned. So he passed
over, and all the trumpets sound-
ed for him on the other side.
Then a note came for Mr. Ready-
to-halt, and he went over. His
last words were " Welcome life."
After this Mr. Feeble- mind had
tidings to go. So he entered the
river, and his last words were,
11 Hold out, faith and patience !"
When many days had passed,
Mr. Despondency was sent for ;
and his daughter when she heard
the message, said she would go
with him. So they went down
192 CHRISTIANA, ETC.
into the water together. His last
words were, "Farewell, night;
welcome day!" His daughter
went through the river singing,
hut none understood what she said.
Then was Mr. Stand-fast sent
for, so he went down into the
water praising his Lord and King,
until he ceased to he seen of them
who stood hy him.
As for Christiana's children,
with their wives and children, I
did not stay till they went over.
Should it be my lot to go that
way again, I may give those that
desire it an account of what I here
am silent about : meantime I bid
my reader Farewell.
Date Due
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